Dorset Clinic Saves Face With New Accreditation

A Dorset clinic offering non-invasive cosmetic treatment has become the first in the south west to win a new accreditation.

The Melbury Clinic, Dorchester and Yeovil has been evaluated by Save Face - a new organisation set up to regulate the industry.

Legally, anyone in the UK can carry out these kinds of treatments and the industry has come under huge pressure to provide protection for patients from cowboy practitioners. Save Face, which launched recently, is the first organisation in the UK to provide a register of accredited practitioners - all of which have been visited and assessed for professionalism, qualifications and safety to give patients peace of mind when booking treatments.

The Melbury Clinic was established in 2003 and provides treatments including muscle relaxing injections, derma roller, derma fillers and facial skin peels offered by an experienced registered nurse specialist. Its also offers non-surgical treatment of varicose veins.

Ros English, manager of The Melbury Clinic, said: "The non-invasive cosmetic treatment industry has been unregulated for too long and it is a step in the right direction for a company like Save Face to come forward and try and make it a safer place. The Save Face register offers the opportunity for consumers to find qualified, safe practitioners at clinics with high standards where they can be confident in the information and service they receive."

Gaynor Hughes, aesthetic nurse specialist at The Melbury Clinic said, "Being accredited by Save Face is a way of distinguishing ourselves as professional, qualified, safe and caring. Save Face were very helpful throughout the whole process and helped make it easier for ourselves. We felt confident the whole way through. We hope that with Save Face regulating the industry it will raise standards and inspire others to do better."

Brett Collins, Director of Save Face, said: "Our assessments measure qualifications and adherence to best practice standards, as well as the safety of premises, against a robust set of standards. We have patients at the heart of everything we do. If they decide they want a treatment, they can now find someone safe, caring and professional, in their local area to carry it out for them."

The non-surgical cosmetic treatment market is currently worth £2.3 billion to the British economy and is set to increase to £3.6 billion by 2015.